Warne v Murali - cricket's show stopper

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Muttiah Muralitharan's imminent comeback from controversy and
injury promises to light up international cricket in the new year
as he resumes battle with Shane Warne for the mantle of the game's
greatest spinner.

The 32-year-old Sri Lankan was the world's leading wicket-taker
with 532 scalps until a shoulder surgery in August sidelined him
for the rest of the year and allowed Warne, 35, to claim the record
on the tour of India in October.

Muralitharan, cleared to play by his doctors and the
International Cricket Council (ICC) following a review of his
bowling action, is expected to spearhead Sri Lanka's attack during
the two Tests in New Zealand in January.

Warne, who had a 20-wicket advantage going into Australia's
three-Test home series against Pakistan, will be looking over his
shoulder as the off-spinner returns to his prolific wicket-taking
ways.

By the end of the year, Muralitharan may well regain the
record.

Among Sri Lanka's Test engagements in 2005 is a series against
cricket's favourite whipping boys from Bangladesh.

Warne knows he is fighting a losing battle.

"Murali is bound to overtake me sooner or later," the blond
leg-spinner said in a recent interview.

"But at least I've got the opportunity to say I was the world
record holder."

Muralitharan can befuddle batsmen even on a glass-top. He has
taken five wickets in an innings 44 times and 10 wickets in a Test
on 13 occasions. Both feats remain unmatched in the history of the
game.

Muralitharan could return an even more devastating bowler
following the ICC's decision to overturn the ban on his away-going
delivery - the 'doosra' (second one) - a term first made popular by
Pakistani off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.

If the ICC agrees next February to allow bowlers to flex their
arms by up to 15 degrees, Muralitharan will not have to worry about
umpires, officials and fans questioning his action.

"I have always been at peace with myself because I knew I was
not doing anything wrong," he said.

"It is the others who kept raising doubts about my action. The
more they questioned, the stronger I became. Now, hopefully, it is
all settled."

A new book 'Chuckers', written by Adelaide Oval museum curator
Bernand Whimpress, quotes conversations between Don Bradman and his
close friend Tom Thompson in which the legendary Australian batsmen
takes a swipe at umpire Darrell Hair for calling Muralitharan for
throwing in 1995.

"I believe Hair's action - in one over - took the development of
world cricket back by 10 years," the book quotes Bradman as telling
Thompson.

"For me, this was the worst example of umpiring that I have
witnessed, and against everything the game stands for. It was
technically impossible of umpire Hair to call Murali from the
bowler's end. Why was his eye not on the foot-fall and crease?

"Clearly Murali does not throw the ball."

One of the highlights of the year gone by was the showdown
between Warne and Muralitharan during Australia's tour of Sri Lanka
in March.

The honours were even. Muralitharan claimed 28 wickets in three
Tests against Warne's 26 but world champions Australia blanked the
hosts 3-0.

The duo could not renew battle when Sri Lanka returned the visit
in July because Muralitharan withdrew from the tour reportedly
angry over Australian Prime Minister John Howard's comments calling
him a chucker.

Warne and Muralitharan will not play against each other in the
new year. But their individual quest for the world record will be
keenly followed by cricket fans around the world.